Spirit and Light hared Event - Religious Education Registration 2026-2027 is NOW OPEN! - We are excited to begin another year of faith formation and spiritual growth! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we look forward to guiding your child on their journey of faith. We offer a variety of different religious education programs. Sessions begin the week of September 6. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

During October, Ascension and St. Edmund Parish will be supporting Sarah's Inn in Forest Park. We will be collecting full-sized soap, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, and feminine products for the women and children living at Sarah’s Inn. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Beginning in October and going through May, on the second Saturday of each of those months our Saturday evening 5:00 PM Mass will be celebrated at our Ascension Church site... Accommodating this is simply a gesture of goodwill and a bridge builder to honor many who have made the transition to St. Edmund but who also have a desire to worship now and then on a Saturday night at Ascension Church, which before unification was their Mass preference... CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Logistics Training for Current Lectors on October 24 at 9:30 AM at Ascension Church (some New Lectors may attend) - CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Spirit and Light Shared Event - A Silent Saturday on October 24 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Ascension Campus provides a few hours that are set aside for Silent Prayer, Lectio Divina or Spiritual Reading, and a reflective video by Fr. Thomas Keating OCSO. The day will begin with a brief review of the 4 guidelines of Centering Prayer to help understand the role of distractions during silent prayer. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Ascension and St. Edmund Parish has signed on to host and provide dinner on the second and fourth Fridays of each month (October 9 and 23). We are also asked to deliver 36 bag lunches and breakfast for 30 on those evenings for guests to eat the next day. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Consider sharing your musical gifts with the music ministry of our parish! All adult choirs are open to singers, high school age and older. We have three adult choirs and one children’s choir in the parish. We also are in need of cantors and other musicians. All new potential adult members are asked to contact David Anderson at the Music Office or Robert Valle for St. Edmund Choir. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Community Share Event - The Oak Park Parishes will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with a bilingual Mass in her honor on Saturday, December 12 at 9:00 AM in St. Edmund Church, followed by a hospitality event in Murphy Hall. We warmly invite anyone who would like to help plan the Mass, assist with the hospitality event, or take an active role in the liturgy to join us on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 AM in the McGivern Center, St. Edmund Campus, as we prepare for this lovely, faith-filled celebration. CLICK ON THE EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The Christmas cards we send mean so much to people in custody who receive them. A simple card lets them know they are not forgotten. All donations are due by October 31. Please place the donations in the box at the Ascension Church courtyard door. CLICK ON THE EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Event Date on November 14 - Sponsor, purchase tickets, or donate to our annual Thanks-for-Giving Event. Purchase tickets by October 14 and receive $15 off the ticket price. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

It's time to clean out your closets for the Ascension Knights of Columbus Annual Coat Drive! Donations can be left in the bin in the Ascension Church vestibule at any time from October 1 through November 1, or in person before Sunday Masses at Ascension on October 25. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Community Shared Event - The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated at all Masses of Ascension and St. Edmund Parish on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11. Anyone whose health is seriously impaired due to physical or emotional illness, injury, or advanced age is welcome to receive this sacrament. CLICK ON THE EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Archdiocesan Shared Event - A federal tax credit scholarship program for K-12 Education - Letter from Cardinal Blase Cupich - Please send a message to the Governor and ask him to opt-in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. You can also call the Governor’s office directly at (217) 782-6830. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION! 

Non-Parish Event of Interest - St. Peter's in the Loop invites you to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. Come learn about our Franciscan heritage and learn how the beloved St. Francis continues to impact the world in which we live. Join us for Feast Day Masses, talks by Franciscan scholars, recitals, and special prayer events. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Ascension offers PK3 - 8th Grade students and families rigorous academics, faith formation, readiness for higher education and a love of learning. Call our Admissions office or book your personal tour today! CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Ongoing Invitation to Support - Since the installation of the LISTEN WIFI assistive listening system in the Churches, more and more parishioners have begun using the app and are finding it helpful... We completed an evaluation of our overall sound systems at both Churches... If you are interested in lending your support to the Sound System Project, please contact David Anderson in the coming weeks. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Event Date on October 24, 2026 - Free Event for adults age 21+. BYOB with complimentary food and drinks. Sign up as a team of 2 or individually and we will find you a partner. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. REGISTER NOW! CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

We are calling all the Alumni of the Ascension School Class of 1976 to gather for a 50th Reunion on Saturday, October 17, 2026 - Mass at 6:30 PM - Celebration continues in the Pine Room - Please contact Gina Petruzzelli Reckard - CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Please bring non-perishable food items to Ascension and St. Edmund Churches during Mass for our monthly St. Simon of Cyrene Food Pantry collection. Monetary donations are accepted in the offertory baskets at church or online. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The Knights of Columbus and the St. Edmund Diaper Ministry collect diapers and other items on the first weekend of the month for The Neighborhood Bridge, Housing Forward, and Beyond Hunger. CLICK ON EVENT TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION!